Williams, Thomas (1814-1839)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Moore

The subject of this memoir was born February 11, 1814, at Calf Hill, Staffordshire. From his childhood till twelve years of age, he indulged himself in youthful folly, and lived in the practice of open sin. When about that age, being at service, one of his fellow servants who was a Primitive Methodist, frequently talked to him about his soul’s welfare, and of the evil consequences of sin. Divine impressions were made on his mind, and he began to attend the ministry of God’s word in our chapel at Whiston, and the gospel was made the power of God to the salvation of his soul. He joined society, and after some time his name was put on the preachers’ plan. 

He was a local preacher about four years and a half; during which time he laboured hard and successfully. He often travelled between twenty and thirty miles on a Sunday, and sometimes preached three times. He was called out to travel by the Ludlow circuit, and laboured in that circuit from September 20, 1838, till May, 1839, when, through affliction, he was obliged to be fetched home. 

He was severely afflicted for six months, and often his pain was excruciating; which he bore with patience and resignation to the divine will. He expressed a wish, at times, if it should be the will of God, to get better, so that he might be made more useful in the vineyard of the Lord, but would always say, “Not my will, Lord, but thine be done.”

I visited him in company with Brother Broomhall. I felt peculiar liberty and enlargement while talking to him of the afflictions of this life, the goodness of God, and the glory which shall be revealed in the world to come. And O! what a heaven we enjoyed. God’s presence filled the chamber where the man of God encountered the last enemy. He prayed, and God satisfied us with his mercy. Brother Williams enjoyed the grace of God in health, and God left him not in affliction and death. As eternity approached, his prospects brightened. And as he had done during his affliction, so in death he rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. His last words were prayer to God for his blessings to rest upon his family. 

He died on November 2, 1839, aged twenty six years. Funeral sermons were preached for him in Penkridge Wesleyan Methodist chapel; and in our chapel at Bradley, to weeping audiences.

Family

Thomas was born on 11 February 1814 at Calf Hill, Staffordshire.

Thomas died on 2 November 1839 at Whiston, nr. Penkridge, Staffordshire.

Circuits

• 1835 Brinkworth
• 1837 Bristol
• 1838 Faringdon

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1842/124

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers